RoadVitals

1997 Newmar Kountry Aire

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Oct 12, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Dec 15, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Newmar Kountry Aire, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and other / unspecified categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes240.0%
  • Tires & wheels240.0%
  • Other / unspecified120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V809000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 15, 2017
34,699 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling various 1995-2018 motorhomes. A list of the affected vehicles available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V809-2309.pdf. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2018. Owners may contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information or owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791. Newmar's number for this recall is 17E-062.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 17E-062View on NHTSA.gov
15V829000

STEERING

Dec 9, 2015
1,920 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire, 1998-1999 London Aire, 2004 Essex and 1997-1998 Kountry Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.
The risk: A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 15V 633.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 15V 633View on NHTSA.gov
08V025000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jan 24, 2008
5,575 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES CONSTRUCTED ON FORD F-53TY1 AND P131 MOTOR HOME CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH FORD IN CONDUCTING THIS RECALL. FORD WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791. (NOTE: ALSO SEE FORD RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)
NEWMAR CORPORATIONManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 12, 2003

TRAILER HITCH BAR ON MOTORHOME HAS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE. CRACKS IN HITCH OCCUR WHEN DRAGGING ON ROADWAYS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041662
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
24,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 17, 2001

GOODYEAR, LT235/85R16, DOTMNORM5WV486, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH LESS THAN 20000 MILES ON A 1997, NEWMAR, KOUNTRY STAR TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT, WHEN CONSUMER STOPPED TO CHANGE TIRE, HE NOTICED RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHOWED TREAD SEPARATION.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
886059
Incident
Apr 16, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 19, 2000

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR TRUCK OFF THE OFF RAMP OF THE MASS PIKE IN NATICK WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. HE PULLED INTO A GAS STATION ON ROUTE 30 AND FOUND THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY TORN OFF THE RIM ON THE OUTSIDE. IT IS A SCARY SITE AND IF IT HAPPENED ON THE MASS PIKE WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH DAMAGE TO A TIRE IN MY LIFE IT TOTALY RIPED OFF THE WHOLE SIDE. WE TOOK PICTURES WE CAN SEND IF NEED BE. I WENT TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER TODAY ON A DONUT OF A TIRE REPLACING. WE WERE TOLD TO COME BACK WHEN THE MANAGER IS THEIR. WE WILL GO BACK ON TUES. 8/22/2000( DOT NUMBER: W2HYFRP097 TIRE SIZE: P215/70R14 )

NHTSA ID
728457
Brakes
Filed May 4, 1998

DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM/LIGHTING IS INSUFFICIENT FOR TRAILER, WIRING DOES NOT ACTIVATE SYSTEM PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
534977
Incident
May 4, 1998
Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 1997

THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE TRAILER.

NHTSA ID
525437

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB 439

STEERING

NEWMAR CORPORATION HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN SPECIFIC MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS. THIS RECALL IS THE RESULT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO NEWMAR BY SPARTAN MOTORS. NHTSA # 15V 829 TC # 2015-587 THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET MAY CRACK AND BREAK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

TSB-372

SEAT BELTS

NEWMAR CORP.: FAILED AMSAFE SEAT BELTS BEING RETURNED TO NEWMAR FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN CHANGING OUT WARRANTY AMSAFE SEAT BELTS, BOTH HARNESS STRAP WITH CLIP AND BUCKLE PORTION WILL NEED TO BE RETURNED. ALL MOTORIZED MODELS AND ALL MODEL YEARS ARE INCLUDED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Newmar Kountry Aire by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005110—
2003130—
2002040—
2001140—
2000130—
1999140—
1998150—
1997Viewing540—
1996020—
1995120—
1994110—
1991010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.